KIDS BOOK CLUB December 2018 Selection Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

KIDS BOOK CLUB December 2018 Selection ______Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous-and extremely high-tech-fairies. He kidnaps one of them, Holly Short, and holds her for ransom in an effort to restore his family’s fortune. But he may have underestimated the fairies’ powers. Is he about to trigger a cross-species war?

ISBN 9781368036986

Discussion Questions:

1. In your opinion, why does Colfer characterize Artemis Fowl as an extraordinary genius? Do you feel the story would have been plausible if he had been less intelligent?

2. The fact that Artemis notices Nguyen Xuan’s manicured nails, fine clothing, and Oxford accent is evidence for Artemis’s attention to detail. Predict how this will serve him well throughout the course of the novel?

3. Besides noting his intelligence, what were your other first impressions of Artemis Fowl? What five words would you use to describe him? Did your impression or opinion of him change as you read the novel? If so, in what ways?

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4. What does knowing he has tricked the fairy by offering her Irish whiskey laced with holy water so he can gain access to her copy of The Book of the People suggest about his character?

5. In what ways is Artemis like the Fowls that have come before him? Why does Butler think he’s different and unique? Based on what you discovered in the novel, would you agree with this assessment?

6. In what ways is the illness of Angeline Fowl and disappearance of the Artemis’s father (Artemis Fowl, the First) essential to the development of the storyline? How does learning more about the fate of his father impact Artemis?

7. Why is the acquisition of gold from the fairies so particularly important to Artemis? How is this motivated by his father and mother’s circumstance?

8. Consider the relationship between Butler and Artemis. Why is it particularly complex, given the history between the Butlers and Fowls over centuries? Why does Butler choose to serve Artemis, and in what ways is Butler a surrogate father to the young mastermind?

9. In considering the two settings, how is the fairy world different from the human world? What are the obvious benefits of each of them? What are Artemis's weaknesses? How does he overcome his vulnerabilities and outsmart his foes?

10. What role does magic play throughout the story? While thinking about the fairy world, what was your favorite technological invention from that realm?

11. Compare and contrast the Artemis and Root. Are their leadership styles different? Why or why not? What rules control Artemis and Captain Holly Short and their respective allies? How do they work around these restrictions?

12. Consider how Colfer depicts the magical creatures versus the Mud People; why do you think he chooses to portray each group the way he does? What do you believe he hopes readers will better understand by his representations of each group?

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13. What is the importance of the sleeping pills in regard to the time-stops? How do they enable Artemis to execute his plan and once again get the better of the LEP?

14. Throughout Artemis Fowl, author Eoin Colfer shows readers the power of nature and ancient traditions by mentioning the importance of rivers, trees, and the moon in preserving magic. What might be some reasons this is particularly important to Colfer?

15. Artemis tells Butler, “Keep the faith, old friend. The end is in sight.” Why does Artemis feel the need to reassure Butler after discovering Butler’s frustration with Artemis’s plan to hold Holly to her ransom even after receiving her assistance?

16. Often, Artemis seem older than his age and wiser than the adults around him. In your opinion, what’s the biggest drawback of that reality? Are there any ways in which Artemis shows his youthfulness or lack of experience?

17. In your opinion, what does Artemis’s willingness to buy a wish from Holly for half of her ransom gold mean?

18. Given what you learned about her throughout the novel, why do you think Holly grants Artemis's wish after he has held her hostage? What does this tell us about her character? Do you think she’s made a smart decision to do so? Why or why not? Do you believe Artemis will feel indebted to her in the future? Why or why not?

19. In discussing Artemis, Captain Kelp states, “That’s one mean human. I think he has magic of his own.” Why does this seem a possibility to the fairies? Do you think he’s right to suspect such a thing? If so, in what ways?

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Recommendations:

➢ If you liked Artemis Fowl, you might like Greenglass House (http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780544540286)

➢ You might also enjoy The Mysterious Benedict Society (http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780316003957)

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